Circuit-interrupter.



C. AALBORG. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. r APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, I9II. I 9( q 1,176,632. J lutented Feb. M), 1x10.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENIOR TTORNEY C. AALBORG. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

APPLlCATlfiN FILED JUNE 28, I911.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES:

' INVENTOR BY /k /Z /W ATTORNEY c. AALBORG. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23,191].

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

II I I H H Hl I IH HI I I HI ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

C. AALBORG.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 19H.

YzlflltQd Fflb. 29, 1916 4 SHEETS--SHEET 4.

ATTORNEY cHnIs'rIAN AALIBORG, or wILKINsBUnG, PENNSYLVANIA,. ASsIGNoR r WESTING- HOUSE ELEGTRIC AND MANUFACTURING sYnvANm.

COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- GIRCUIT-INTERRU PTEB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application filed June 28, 1911. Seria1No.685,910.

- To all whom it may 0012 cm:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN AALBORG', a citizen of the United States, and a-resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have .invented a new and useful Improvement in ing is a specification.

Circuit-Interrupters, of which the follow- My invention relates to circuit interrupters, and it has special reference to interrupters of the resistance type that are adapted to handle very heavy currents and are provided with a plurality of interrupting devices by means of which the circuit is opened without injurious arcing or undue voltage surges on the circuit.

The object of my invention is to simplify and improve the construction and 0 eration of devices of the above-indicated c aracter and to provide a circuit interrupter which shall be rugged, compact and durable in construction, effective and reliable in operation and shall embody means for positively interconnecting the plurality of interrupting devices whereby a fixed and definite relationship is maintained .betweeen them and all. possibility of opening in an improper order is precluded.

According to my invention, I provide a circuit-interrupting device which em bodies a main current-carrying interrupting means and an auxiliary arcing interrupting means connected in multiple thereto'and in series circuit with a plurality of resistor sections. The movable members of the several interrupting devices are suitably supported upon rods which are associated with the free ends of a plurality of operating levers, said levers being respectively connected to the arms of a pivotally mounted bell-crank lever by means of suitable links. By means of this mechanism, which will lee-hereinafter set forth in detail, the movable members of the several interrupting devices are positively interconnected and are, therefore, rendered interdependent.

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,

shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showng the circuit connections of the interrupter, and Figs. 5 an'd 6 are views in outline showing the relationship of certain parts of the operating mechanism in an intermediate position and in full open posi- "tion, respectively.

' Referring to the drawings, the circuit interrupting device comprises a liquid-containing. tank 1, a main interrupting means 2 embodying a plurality of stationary current-carrying terminals 3 anda cooperating movable member 4, an auxiliary interrupting means 5 embodying a plurality of stationary arcing terminals 6 and a cooperating movable member 7 a plurality of resistor sections 8 associated with said auxiliarv interrupting means 5, an insulated ter' minal member 9 for conducting electrical energy to said resistor sections 8 and interrupting means 2 and 5, a plurality of rods 10 and 11 for respectively supporting the movable members t and 7, an operating mechanism 12 for actuating said interrupting means in succession and in a predetermined order, a.latch 13 for restraining the operating mechanism in its normally closed position, a tripping device 14 for -releasing said latch under predetermined abnormal circuit conditions, a power-operated means 15 for closing or resetting the operating mechanism, and a. cover or casing 16 for inclosing and protecting the is connected in multiple relation with the low-resistance circuit. The final interruption of the circuit is accomplished through the interrupting means 5 which is associated with the high-resistance circuits just referred to, and, inasmuch as these circuits are required to carry the current only during the short interval between the preliminary and final interruptions, the cotiperating contact members may be designed and constructed without regard to current-carrying capacity and serve merely as arcing terminals. t j

, Each of the resistor sections 8 comprises a plurality of vertically disposed grids 17 which areassembled side by Sld and suitably insulated from one another, said resistor sections being"mounted above the several interrupting-y means and suitably secured to a supporting frame 18 which is suspended within the tank 1. v The operating mechanism 12. embodies plurality/ofoperating'lcvers l9 and 20, the

23 which is suitably attached to the top of the ljquidwontaining tank v provided upon and is ads P t n casting 1, and serves to support the-various parts ofthe operating mechanism. .A

'pted to engage a projecting portion 25 of. the lever member 20 inorder to limifi' the downward movement thereof.

Amember 26. is pivoted'upon a shaft 27 that'is carried by; an upwardly projecting member 28which forms a part of the supprism a plurality of arms 29, 30, 31 and 32 T e respective arms 29 and 30 of the member 26 are vnormally disposed in substantially horizontal and vertical planes and 1 somewhat to the right 50. the arm 29 occu the horizontal p constitute the arms of a bell-crank lever having its pivotal support upon the shaft 27, said arms being respectively connected tothe operating levers 19 and" 20 by means should be noted that of links 33 and 34. It the arm 30 normally assumes a position passing through its pivotal su port, while ies a position slightly above ane through its pivotal support, for areason that will be hereinafter pointed out.

Between the aruriil and the shaft 21 are connected two links 35 and 36 which form an, operating'toggle by means. of which the bell crank lever or multi-arm 26 is forced into itsnormal position througli, the agency of the power-operated means 15 'anda connecting link 37,; one end of which is suitably Secured to the link 35 while the other end is similarly associated with a portion of the powgr-operated means 15. j p

A pro ection 38 is provided upon the link 4 and 7 ofthe' stop or bumper 24 is also" the supporting member 23' 23, said member 26 comof the vertical plane" projecting portion 38 of the lin tation of the bell-crank lever 26, and to secure a positive and rapid action of the operating mechanism 12 when it is released from the latch 13, a heavy coil s'pring41 l is connected between the arm 32 of said bell-crank lever and a fixed pin Q2. The tension of. the spring 41 may be regulated as desired by an adjusting nut 43, in the usual manner. 1

The tripping mechanism 14. may be of any well known construction and comprises a stationary cgre 44, a movable core l5, an energizing coil 46, and a hammer rod 47 that is associated with the movablecore 45 and is adapted to deliver a suddeh blow to the arm 39 of the latch 13 under-predetermined abnormal circuit conditions. Obviously, any other suitable device for accomplishing the same purpose may beemployed.

The power-operated means 15 is merelyillustrative of any suitable means for closing the circuit interrupter and forms no part of my invention, except as it performs a necessar function in its operation. As shown, the open ting means 15 comprises a cylinder 1-8 and a movable piston 49 which is disposed therein in the usual manner and is suitably associated with one end of the connecting link 37, said piston 49 being adapted to be actuated either pneumatically or hydraulically, as desired.

Assuming the various parts of the interrupter to occupy the positions shown in the I drawings, and the tripping means to be energized in response to a predetermined alpmrmal circuit condition, the hammer rod 47 is projected against the end of the arm 39, whereby the latch 13 is disengaged from the the operatin toggle which comprises the links 35 an crank lever 26 is rotated in a countenclockwise direction b meansof the spring 41 and the weight of til the first part or the rotation of the bellc'rank lever 26, the operating lever19and its associated movable contact member 4 are lowered by reason of the substantially downward travel of the arm '29, while the operating lever 20 and its associated movable contact member 7 are maintained in snbetanl 36 is released and the bell- 35. Thus,

e suspended parts. During tially their original positions because of the substantially horizontal travel of the arm 30. Thus, it' is evident that the movable member 4 is disengaged from its cooperating contact terminals 3, and the-main interrupting means 2 is therefore opened, while the auxiliary interrupting means 5 remains closed.

By referring particularly to Fig. 5, which shows the relationship of the various parts of the operating mechanism in an intermediate stage during its opening, when th arm 30 of the bell-crank lever 26 occupies a position which is the same distance tothe left of a vertical plane through its pivotal support as it originally occupied to the right thereof, the. operation of the interrupting means and the interconnecting mechanism will be readily understood.

As the bell-crank lever 26 rotates beyond the position shown in Fig. 5, the operating lever 19 and its associated movable contact member 4 continues to be lowered for a short distance, after which they are raised slightly, while the operating lever 20 and its associated movable contact member 5 are also lowered until the lever 20 engages the stop 24. In this position, the circuit interrupter is fully opened and the relationship of the various parts of the operating mechanism is shown in Fig. 6.

Inasmuch as the arm 29 finally occupies a position slightly to the right of a. vertical plane through its pivotal support, asshown in Fig. 6, it is evident. that the final position of the movable contact member 4 is not at its extreme lowest point of travel but that said member has been slightly raised from its lowermost position during the latter part of theoperation, as will be readily understood.

By reason of the action of the operating mechanism, as hereinbetore explained, it is manifest that a preliminary interruption of the circuit is effected through the main current-carrying interrupting means 2, whereby the current is caused to flow through the auxiliary high-resistance circuits in multiple thereto and is finally interrupted through they agency of the auxiliary arcing interrupting means 5.

In order-to close or reset the interrupter, an operating fluid is admitted into the cylinder 48 where it acts-against the movable piston 49, causing it to be raised and thereby exerting a pressure upon the link 35 which, with the link 36, constitutes the operating toggle. As the operating toggle is forced into its" set position, the bell-crank 1ever 26 is rotated in a clockwise direction,

whereby the respective interrupting means 5 and 2 are closed in succession and in the order named, as will bereadily understood without further description. In the closed position, the latch 13 engages the projection 38 on the link 35 and restrains the-mechanism in the usual manner.

Although I have shown and described a circuit interrupter of specific construction, it will be understood that various modifications may be effected in its arrangement and location of parts and that such modifications as do -not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a pluralityof stationary contact terminals and a plurality of cooperating switch members adapted to make engagement therewith, of a bell-crank lever having arms respectively disposed in substantially horizontal and vertical planes, and means for connecting the arms to the switch members.

2. In a. circuit interrupter, thecombination with a main and an auxiliary interrupting means, of a pivotally mounted bellcrank lever having arms respectively disposed in substantially horizontal and vertical planes, and means for connecting the said arms to the interrupting means whereby the movement of the bell-crank lever causes the sequential operation of the interrupting means.

3. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a main and an auxiliary interrupting means, of a pivotally mounted bell-crank lever having arms respectively disposed in substantially horizontal and vertical planes, and links for connecting the said arms to the interrupting means whereby movement of the bell-crank lever causes sequential operation of the interrupting means.

4. In a circuit interrupter, the combina tion with a main and an auxiliary interrupting means, of abell-crank lever having two arms disposed substantially at right angles,

means for operatively connecting the main and .the auxiliary interrupting means respective to the arms whereby movement of the bell-crank lever causes the interrupting means to operate in sequence.

5. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a plurality of main stationary contact terminals, a switch member to cooperate therewith, a plurality of auxiliary contact terminals, a switch member to cotiper ate therewith, and sections of resistance connected in series circuit with said auxiliary terminals and switch member and in multiple to said main terminals and switch member, of a bell-crank lever having two arms disposed substantially at right angles to each other, said arms being positively connected to said switch members for actuating the auxiliary switch member subsequent to the main switch member.

6. In a circuitiuterrupter, the combination with main stationary contact terminals,

a switch member cooperating therewith, a plurality of auxiliary contact terminals, a switch member-therefor, and sections of reiistance connected in series circuit with said auxiliary terminals and switch member and i multiple to said main terminals and switch member, of a plurality of 0 crating levers severally associated with said switch members, and a pivotally mounted bellcrank lever having two arms disposed substantially at right angles to each other that are positively connected to the respective operating levers.

7, In a circuit interrupter, the combination with main stationary contact terminals, a switch member cooperating therewith, auxiliary I stationary contact terminals, a switch member coiiperating therewith, and sections of resistance connected in series circuit with said auxiliary terminals and switch member and in multiple circuit with said main terminals and switch member, of a bell crank lever having arms respectively projecting in substantially horizontal and vertical planes, positive meansfor respectively connecting said main switch member to said horizontally disposed arm and said auxiliary switch member to said vertically disposed arm.

8. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with slow-resistance circuit, interrupt- 'ing means therefor, a plurality of high-resistance circuits connected in multiple there to and interrupting means for said circuits, of a bell-crank lever having two arms disposed substantially at right angles to each other and operatively'connected to said circuit interrupting means for actuating said means one after the other. 1

9.121 a circuit interrupter, the combination with a main and an auxiliary interrupt- 'ing means, and an operating lever associated with each interrupting means, of a plvotally mounted bell-crank lever havin two arms respectively disposed substantia'ly at right angles to each oflTr-and normally in horizontal and vertical planes, links for connecting the main interrupting means with the said horizontally disposed arm and the aux- ;1, wanes iliary means with the vertically disposed arm, and means for actuating the said bellcrank lever.

10. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a main and an auxiliary interrupting means, and an operating lever associated with each interrupting means, of a pivotally mounted bell-crank lever having two arms with each interrupting means, of a pivotallymounted bell-crank lever having two arms respectively disposed substantially at right angles to-each other and normally in hori:

zontal and vertical planes, links for connecting the main interrupting means with the said horizontally disposed arm and the auxiliary means with the vertically' disposed arm, means for restraining the bell-crank lever, and a spring for actuating the said bellcrank lever in one direetinn.

12. In a circuit interrupter, the combination with a main and an auxiliary interrupting means, and an operating lever associated with each interrupting means, of a pivotally mounted bell crank lever having arms respectively disposed in substantially horizontal and vertical planes, a plurality of links severally connecting the main interrupting means with said horizontally disposed arm and the auxiliary means with the vertically disposed arm, and means for actuating said bell crank lever.

in testimony whereof, I have her unto subscribed my'name this 20th day of us,

1911. CHRISTIAN AALBORG.

Witnesses:

- ALVA G. Connno,

B. B. HINES. 

